By Samuel Adeola
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced 21 foreign nationals to one year in prison each for cybercrime, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The convicts were also ordered to leave Nigeria within six working days.
Justice Ekerete Akpan gave the ruling after a plea bargain between the defendants and the Nigerian Police Force.
He further directed the forfeiture of all electronic devices used in the crimes to the Federal Government.
The convicts, mostly from China, are part of 109 foreigners facing prosecution for alleged cybercrime, money laundering, and threats to national security.
Their lawyers, Linda Ikpeazu and Julius Mba, said the fines would be paid immediately.
The court adjourned the trial of the remaining 88 defendants to October 22 and 23, 2025.
The suspects were arrested in 2024 at Katampe District, Abuja, for operating a fraudulent, unregistered gaming platform. They were arraigned on six counts, including cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawful residency, and earlier granted bail of ₦1 billion each.
